Royal Caribbean Will Return to New Orleans
Royal Caribbean International announced it will return to New Orleans with a seasonal home-based cruise ship in late 2018. The 915-foot Vision of the Seas will sail seven-night itineraries to destinations across the Bahamas and Yucatan Peninsula from the Port of New Orleans’ Julia Street Cruise Terminal. The ship will sail on Saturdays. “The Port of New Orleans is thrilled to welcome back Royal Caribbean. We look forward to working productively together for many years to come,” said Brandy Christian, Port President and CEO.
STX Europe Laid Cruise Vessel Keel
The keel of Allure of the Seas, the second in the series of two of the world's largest cruise ships was laid on Dec. 2 at the Turku yards of STX Europe. The keel laying ceremony marked the placement of the very first block of Allure of the Seas in the dry dock where the ship will begin to take shape. The event also included the coin laying ceremony, with representatives of the Owner, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and the Builder, STX Europe placing the lucky coins under the keel, the tradition for bringing luck. The "keelblock" of this size of the vessel weighs several hundreds of tons.